Update: Suspicious device at Las Cruces church disabled

A suspicious device that was found on the grounds of First Presbyterian Church in Las Cruces has been disabled.

The discovery of the device led to the closing of a portion of Boutz Road, between El Paseo Road and south Main Street. Police are asking the public to avoid the area at this time.

Nearby businesses were evacuated and an order to shelter-in-place students and staff at nearby Las Cruces High School has been issued.

The portion of Boutz Road was expected to be closed for another hour or two while investigation.

The package, discovered inside a plastic box that is part of the church’s sprinkler system, was disabled and the evidence will be sent to ATF as part of the investigation.

A groundskeeper at the church, located at 200 E. Boutz, found the suspicious device before calling 911.

Las Cruces Police chief said it is unknown at this time if the reported device at First Presbyterian Church is connected to the explosive devices that went off at two churches on the Sunday morning of Aug. 2.

Investigators will see if there are similarities between the devices and package and if there was a similar M.O.

Investigators looking into Aug. 2’s detonation of explosive devices are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man seen on surveillance video near one of the churches.

The man recorded on surveillance video was seen walking to and from Calvary Baptist Church around the time of the explosion there last Sunday.

He was wearing plaid shorts and a blue, short-sleeve T-shirt.

Investigators are calling the man a “person of interest” but do not necessarily believe he is a suspect.

The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information that helps solve the case, including the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for planting the two devices.

The device at Calvary Baptist Church detonated at approximately 8:20 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, while the device at Holy Cross Catholic Church was reported about 20 minutes later. No injuries were reported.

Detectives investigating the cases believe the devices could have caused serious injury or death had someone been within close proximity at the time of detonation.

Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are urging church parishioners to be vigilant and be aware of anything or anyone that appears suspicious at their churches this weekend.

In the past few days, Las Cruces Police and other law enforcement agencies have met with several church-based groups and other organizations interested in heightening their security awareness in the wake of Sunday’s incidents.

Police say the most common piece of advice they can give is for all residents to remain vigilant and attentive of their surroundings at all times, and immediately report any suspicious people or behavior.

Holy Cross is looking to update its security system but needs community help to raise money to do so. AGoFundMe accounthas been created to raise the money and anyone can make a donation.

Anyone who sees a suspicious package, device or person should refrain from approaching. Residents are asked to call (575) 526-0795 or 911 immediately.

The multi-agency investigation into Sunday’s incidents is ongoing and the FBI continues to seek leads that could help identify the person or persons involved. Anyone with information that may be relevant is asked to call the FBI tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

Crime Stoppers is now offering a total reward of $7,500 for information that leads to an arrest, or arrests, in these incidents. In an unprecedented move, the Deming, N.M., Crime Stoppers allocated $2,500 in addition to the $5,000 offered by Las Cruces Crime Stoppers.

Anyone with information that can help identify the person or persons responsible can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send a tip by text message to CRIMES (274637), keyword LCTIPS. The Crime Stoppers number and text messaging services are operational 24 hours a day and callers do not have to give a name to collect a reward.

The multi-agency investigation is being conducted by the FBI, the ATF, the Las Cruces Police Department, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, New Mexico State University Police, and the Department of Homeland Security.